73 South African Airways Consumer Reviews and Complaints

Made a number of calls to rectify an issue and it’s been almost a week an still not resolved. I had to get Webjet to assist me. SAA staff do not appear to be competent, committed to customer service and unreliable. I’ll never fly with SAA again.

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Sandra of Manchester, MO
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Verified Buyer

Original review: Feb. 6, 2018

VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH South African Airways. I will never book with SAA ever again. I am comfortable with other airlines. They are very cooperative. If you cancel the ticket, the ticket should be valid for a year like other airlines!!! OR if I press "cancellation button" they should inform us that the ticket is nonrefundable and they should NEVER cancel tickets since the ticket is MINE, NOT THEIRS!

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Outbound Flight. Check in. Website errors. Repeated attempts to check-in using FlySAA.com after 10:40 on 24 Dec 2017 (24 hours prior to the flight) failed without adequate explanation. I called your customer service line (800-722-9675) and was told to simply try again in 90 minutes. Another online check-in attempt 90 minutes later resulted in the same error.

Misinformation / lack of communication. In addition to not allowing me to check-in online, your website stated that the departure would be delayed; however, I received no formal notification of such delays via text, phone, or email at this time. Other resources (Google Flight, and FlightAware) stated that my flight had been cancelled. I again called your customer service line at 12:30 on 24 Dec 2017, and was told that I was being switched to another flight, with the same departure date and time, and they would check us in at the airport.

Delayed notification of repeatedly-delayed departure. At 17:43 on 24 Dec (less than 17 hours before departure), I received a text message stating that departure is delayed over 13 hours, to 22:00. This was quite upsetting, since our families had rearranged a significant number of schedules and events based on a morning flight on Christmas Day. At 12:07 on 25 Dec (less than 10 hours before revised departure), I received another text message stating that departure is delayed another 30 minutes, to 22:30. At 21:52 on 25 Dec, I received another text message stating that departure is delayed another 45 minutes, to 23:15.

The gate crew at JFK did not make any announcements of further delays or of expected boarding time. In fact no announcement was made when it commenced; people simply began crowding the gate when they saw boarding passes being scanned. At 23:47 on 25 Dec (over 30 minutes after the last scheduled departure time), I received another text message stating that departure is delayed until 23:48. That statement is accurate: I received a text stating that our flight would be departing in exactly one minute.

After several minutes on board, the captain made an announcement that we would be delayed further until an “unruly passenger” could be removed from the aircraft. No staff members displayed any sense of urgency to remove the passenger, and no security personnel boarded the aircraft to remove the passenger. The boarding door did not close until 00:08 on 26 Dec. We had arrived at JFK to check-in at 18:00 that day, as directed by SAA; these delays caused us to be in the airport terminal for more than six hours.

On-board issues. Equipment. Power. No seatside power outlets (via USB plug or otherwise) were available. We expected a top, global airline to provide power for small electronic devices on a 13-hour flight costing nearly $2,000 per seat; especially since I normal experience such an “amenity” on budget domestic flights of one hour. The recording that plays while “on hold” for your customer service message states that every aircraft has USB ports on-board flights from the US to SA. At the very least, notify your passengers when they purchase the ticket that they are expected to bring backup power sources. If 1.c.1.a is not systematically feasible, passengers should be notified in the gate area that they should utilize in-gate power sources to recharge; especially when many have now been in the airport more than half a day due to your delay.

Seating. No personal ventilation control was offered at the seats. Again, this “amenity” has been on most commercial jets for decades. Providing blankets is not sufficient for those who may not wish to “wear” one for 13 hours, or whom may be allergic to the material, or for any number of other reasons. I was assigned a different seat at check-in than I selected when purchasing my ticket. Upon arrival at my seat, a posted placard notified me that I must place my hand luggage in the overhead bin. I should have been notified of such a restriction upon check-in, as my hand luggage contained valuable and fragile items that were not packed in a suitable manner to be jostled about with other bags in an overhead bin.

Personnel. I asked an SAA flight attendant for a napkin or tissue. His response was a curt and loud, “Bathroom!” while pointing to the lavatory. If SAA was concerned about customer service, a more proper response would have been, “You can find a tissue dispenser in the bathroom,” etc. When flight attendants began serving drinks, the first three commonly-available spirits I requested (rum, then gin, then cranberry juice) were not available. The flight attendant was not even aware of what she did have available, and at this point was pulling random bottles out of the cart and announcing their contents. After we found that the cart did have vodka, I was told that I could not have two bottles.

Consequently, I assumed that spirits would be offered again later during the flight; they were not. We expected a top, global airline to offer more than one drink on a 13-hour flight costing nearly $2,000 per seat; especially when many passengers have now been in the airport more than half a day due to your delay. Upon lowering our tray tables for the meal service, we found both to be covered with crumbs. The trays had not been cleaned after the previous flight. In-Country Issues Caused by Outbound Flight Delays. Time of day. The delays caused us to arrive near midnight local time. There were no restaurants open in the airport, and no alternatives provided by SAA. Though I understand additional meals for all passengers were not onboard the aircraft, it would have been great customer service if SAA even said, “An SAA representative will have additional airline meal dishes on the cart in Baggage Claim.”

We were forced to spend $136.00 USD on a hotel in Johannesburg, since our planning place of lodging was closed for the evening. Lost time and cost. The delays caused us to miss one night of lodging and two safari drives, which resulted in $600.00 lost. Inbound Flight. Check in. Website errors. Repeated attempts to check-in using FlySAA.com 24 hours prior to the flight once again failed without adequate explanation. JNB check-in counter. After arrival at JNB more than two hours prior to the flight, the SAA check-in agent tagged our checked luggage (two suitcases and two large souvenirs packaged in bubble wrap) but informs us that he can’t accept our luggage at this time, and consequently we need to wait “over there for 10 minutes” before dropping our luggage and proceeding through JNB security.

Ten minutes later, the SAA agent tells us we need to wait another 20 minutes while the “captain checks whether there is room for more luggage.” Twenty minutes later, the SAA agent tells us that while there are seats available for us on standby, there is still no room for additional luggage. We were put on “standby” because we were not allowed to check in online. At this point in time, we know that the baggage of family members who took this same JNB-to-JFK flight several days prior, but whose baggage never arrived at JFK with the passengers, is on our flight. This, presumably, is the reason for the lack of cargo capacity for the passengers not yet through security.

Why should our flight be negatively impacted by weather delays or personnel errors days ago? Why is adequate luggage capacity not available for passengers who purchased tickets six months in advance and were never given an opportunity to state how many checked bags we wanted at the time of purchase, and/or at the check-in we were similarly not given an opportunity to do? Ten minutes later, the SAA agent tells us that the issue is now weather-related. The SAA agent finally accepted our checked luggage less than an hour before scheduled departure (21:35) and promises to call the gate and hold our flight. We sprint to security, and again from security to the gate, in hopes of arriving before the boarding door closes (50 minutes prior to departure for international flights, as stated on your website).

Departure issues at JNB. An airport representative stopped us in the jet bridge, saying our hand luggage was too big to carry on. This luggage conformed to the size and weight requirements on your website, and fit in the overhead bin of the exact same plane on our outbound flight. The hand luggage was filled with fragile items, which were then damaged by being tossed about in the cargo hold. Though departure was scheduled for 21:40, the boarding door was not closed until 22:00, and we did not take off until 22:16.

Post-Flight Issues. Delayed disembarkation Upon landing at JFK, the captain informed us we would be waiting on the aircraft 40 more minutes until a gate would be available. After 50-60 minutes, the captain informed us of an additional delay; and repeatedly informed us of further delays, each of a different length. We were kept on the plane on the taxiway for five hours before being allowed to disembark via stairs and be bussed to the terminal. If a gate was never going to be available, why were the stairs and busses not made available sometime during the first four hours? Or at least two hours after landing, at which time the remaining food and water had run out and the bathrooms were beginning to be used for trash storage? Why was the flight even allowed to take off from JNB? Certainly JFK knew prior to our departure that it had, and would continue to have, a large enough backlog of aircraft and a shortage of gates.

Delayed baggage. Checked baggage arrived at the baggage claim carousel in unpredictable tranches, with delays of 20 minutes between each tranche. There were no airline representatives, or even generic airport baggage representatives, present to let passengers know if their bags were going to arrive in minutes, or days. Damage. One of the large souvenirs we checked as baggage was damaged. An airport representative at JFK inspected the damaged parcel and created File Reference, then informed me I needed to contact an SAA representative (either three stories above our current location; or via phone) to complete the claim and obtain reimbursement for the damage.

Inability to file claim for damaged baggage reimbursement. 08 Jan 2018: The next business day, I called 800-722-9675. I was on hold for 30 minutes, before anyone answered. After another five minute hold, I was told that “the Baggage Department” would call me back the same day. I received no callback. 09 Jan 2018 at 12:54 EST: I called 800-722-9675 again to inquire when I should expect the Baggage Department to contact me, and was told, “They usually call back in the same day. Someone should get back to you today.” I received no callback.

12 Jan 2018 at 13:45 EST: I called 800-722-9675. During an 18 minute hold, I noted one message instructing me to call 800-722-3734 or 718-917-6258 “for information about New York flights.” After the 18 minutes, someone answered “Hello?” and hung up. I tried the -3734 and -6258 numbers; both calls went to an answering machine for Harmon Aviation and said nothing about SAA or JFK flights. I called -9675 back, and was on hold another 40 minutes before someone answered. This very helpful representative told me where to download a “Passenger Property Claim” form from the SAA website, and instructed me to fill it out and email it to FLLBAGCLAIMS@FLYSAA.COM for processing.

Why did it take over a week, and speaking to three different SAA employees, before I was directed to this form? Issues with “Passenger Property Claim” Form. At four pages, this form is unnecessarily long. This form is unnecessarily redundant. Flight number twice on Page 1. “From” airport twice on Page 1. “To” airport three times on Page 1. Page 3 identifies a police affidavit as a required document. Why would I file a police report for a damaged bag?

The requirement for signing before a Commissioner of Oaths (called a Notary Public in the United Stated) is unnecessary. We checked our luggage with an SAA representative in JNB, where two separate SAA representatives inspected them and deemed them appropriately packaged (considering the contents and weight) and undamaged. One checked luggage arrived damaged by SAA at JFK, where an airport representative confirmed the damage. Why must I now go to yet another party and pay him/her to confirm that I am signing the claim form for the damage that was verified by an airport representative?

The form does not instruct the user how it should be submitted. Though a Johannesburg address appears on the form, it is not clear whether that is simply for information purposes or if the form and supporting documentation should be submitted to that address. Further, in 2017, posting actual hardcopy documents to a physical address should not be the sole method of communication for an international company. There appears to be no simple way to file a complaint of any kind on flysaa.com.

12 Jan 2018 at 16:22 EST: Note (1) on Page 3 of the “Passenger Property Claim” form states that the complaint must be made within seven days from the date of receipt of the damaged baggage. Considering this, after speaking with the representative noted in paragraph 4.d.iii, I took unpaid time off from work and hurried to find someone to validate my signature on Page 4, and emailed form and required information at 16:22 EST to fllbagclaims@flysaa.com; the email bounced back with the message, “Your message couldn't be delivered to fllbagclaims@flysaa.com. Their inbox is full, or it's getting too much mail right now.”

13 Jan 2018 at 10:03 EST: I again emailed the form and required information to fllbagclaims@flysaa.com; received the same “undeliverable” message. How are passengers supposed to file claims if SAA will not receive the claims? 13 Jan 2018 at 10:05 EST: I called 800-722-9675. The representative forwarded me to an automated message telling me to leave a message or call two other numbers (888-725-3522 or 718-360-8927). I left a message. 13 Jan 2018 at 10:12 EST: I again emailed the form and required information to baggageservices@flysaa.com as per your website; received the same “undeliverable” message. How are passengers supposed to file claims if SAA will not receive the claims?

19 Jan 2018 at 09:24 EST: I again emailed the form and required information to baggageservices@flysaa.com and fllbagclaims@flysaa.com; received the same “undeliverable” message. 19 Jan 2018 at 09:31 EST: I called 888-725-3522 and 718-360-8927; both numbers were answered by a pre-recorded message saying the “voicemail box is full.” 19 Jan 2018 at 09:33 EST: I called 954-769-5023 (your U.S. Customer Care number). The call was answered by a pre-recorded message saying the “voicemail box is full” and instructing me to call 954-769-5095 “for baggage claims.” I called that number and left a voicemail. I then called the -5023 number again, whereupon another pre-recorded message instructed me to email customerservice@flysaa.com. 19 Jan 2018 at 09:40 EST: I again emailed the form and required information to customerservice@flysaa.com and saausa@flysaa.com; received the same “undeliverable” message.

25 Jan 2018 at 17:52 EST: I again emailed the form and required information to baggageservices@flysaa.com, fllbagclaims@flysaa.com, customerservice@flysaa.com, and saausa@flysaa.com; received the same “undeliverable” message. At this time, we have still received no callback from “the Baggage Department,” and the claim form remains not received by SAA. After the extraordinary and severe issues experienced, and the lack of responsibility assumed for the baggage placed in the care of South African Airways, we did substantially did not receive the services purchased and have requested a refund.

The most inconsiderate airline on earth, please avoid this airline. No 24 hour customer service to get your questions answered during delays. They think they can delay your trip for a day for a mechanical problem by sending you a text and no one to answer your question. The Customer service not at all helpful and hang up on me. I am deeply sorry I bought a ticket from them. They provide less than third world class service. They do not seem to have a clue what service means.

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Gina of Greer, SC
Verified Reviewer

Original review: Dec. 20, 2017

They lost one of bags and damaged two of them and are unwilling to help. When my husband and I arrived in Washington Dulles on the 16th of Dec. coming from Johannesburg we found that one of our bags were missing and the other two damaged. There was not a SAA baggage claim representative in sight so we went to UNITED (who we were flying with for second leg of our flight). United representative contacted SAA on our behalf as they also needed to provide us with hotel vouchers as our flight was delayed by a day. When the SAA rep came he gave us our hotel vouchers and said not to worry about our baggage and just to make the claim when we arrived at our final destination.

When we arrived at our final destination via United they said SAA should have put a claim for our missing and damaged baggage as our bags were only checked through to IAD due to the delay. Even though this was the case they opened a claim for us for the missing baggage, however their systems are able to track SAA bag tags so yet to get to get an update.

Since then we have called every customer service phone number for SAA and emailed various email addresses, and all responses have not been helpful. They have just had us running around in circles and no one till this point from SAA has put in a claim for our missing and damaged baggage. On top of that they keep directing us to baggage claim phone numbers which just go to voicemail which the inbox is full so you cant even leave a message. I even tried contacting them via Facebook and they were no help either. This is day 5 now and still no help from SAA to put in a claim for our luggage they lost, and our damaged baggage. On top of all this their customer service has been terrible and rude considering I have been very nice to them in emails and phone.

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George of Woronora, Other
Verified Reviewer
Verified Buyer

Original review: Dec. 9, 2017

Ms Emma ** was refused boarding at Lusaka Airport on the 25th October on her way to Sydney for the launch of The Global Links Medical Foundation Charity. We called directly from Sydney and spoke with the representative who was quite short and uncooperative, only saying she is not boarding, full stop. It was extremely important to the foundation that Emma, a professor and longtime medical volunteer so We contacted Emirates Airline and purchased a ticket for her to fly to Sydney Return.

Since the 26th October we have sent numerous Emails, contacted Sydney office, (who have said that they could see no reason for her not to board) tried contacting SAA directly only to be left on hold for long periods of time, only standard answers from emails saying they will get back within 10 days, but not. We were told by Sydney office who issued the ticket that only Head Office can deal with this but nobody from head office will contact us. Where to from here, I don't know, it's charity money not ours. Sad, very Sad.

24/07/2017 - Made a ticket purchase for my family at SAA counter in Luanda, Angola (Reserv: **). 03/08/2017 - My family tried to check in but was unable to as my daughter name was spelled incorrectly, a mistake made by an SAA agent because the passport was shown on reservation. So we had to purchase a new ticket for her (Reserv: **). 03/08/2017 - Requested the refund for one of the tickets as it was a mistake from the airline. Still waiting for a response. 18/08/2017 - On our way back to ZA, we even encounter the same problem as the reservation ** also had a spelling mistake and had to wait one hour in line for them to solve the issue. So both reservations were wrong, one issue at SAA in Angola and one issued by SAA in JNB Airport.

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Hayley of Lancashire, Other
Verified Reviewer

Original review: Aug. 4, 2017

Had £107 taken from my bank account for a flight I didn't book. Bank advised me to ring Flysaa to see if they could ascertain who and how someone had managed to use my bank details to book a flight. The chap I spoke to didn't seem to know his arse from his elbow. He didn't sound remotely interested or concerned. About as helpful as chocolate teapot. Not that I have ever booked a flight through Flysaa but I certainly will never be doing in the future.

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B. of Endenvale, Other
Verified Reviewer

Original review: June 26, 2017

I bought tickets from JHB - HRE on Wednesday the 21st of June 2017 and returning to JHB on 23/06/2017 @08:50... Flight SA8101. Upon checking in at the Harare International Airport on the morning of 23/06/2017, I was told to buy a return ticket from JHB to HRE as the SAA system did not allow me to check in without the return ticket. I had to scrounge around for $US214.08 to buy a return ticket JHB-HRE in order for me to be allowed onto the Airlink flight on that morning or else risk losing my job in SA, otherwise I do not even have a full explanation as to why I had to buy one yet. Nothing at all was endorsed on the ticket. Told them I had no intention of traveling back home soon but I was told it was mandatory if I wanted to go back to RSA.

Please note that I am Zimbabwean with a valid work permit - allowed to work in RSA. I have been working in RSA since Dec 2008 and I have visited home on several occasions via various modes of transport. Please do explain to me what this means? Is this the new law that one has to buy 3 tickets in order for them to travel with SAA??? What if I want to drive back home on my next visit? Why was this not communicated to me on the day I bought the forward tickets for flight SA28 @ 14:55 on Wednesday the 21st of June 2017?

I am now scared to fly home in case this repeats itself. I was even told that if I were to claim for a refund only the taxes would be refunded and not the full ticket. Furthermore the lady went on to tell me that I had a year to use the ticket and not to worry :(!!! No one has the time to fully explain anything as they are busy chatting away - and preoccupied with other procedures.

Upon my arrival in SA that morning I asked the Immigration Officers to check their system with regards to my permit and all was in order I was advised to proceed to the RSA SAA offices to check my bookings. And explained to them about their check in system in Harare and they knew nothing about that and all my bookings were in order. I am greatly disappointed... Furthermore, no one answers the phones at the SAA Harare office or even at the customer call center on 0119782888.

I booked a flight through SAA from East London to JHB on the 26 April 2017. SAA had a strike and decided to cancel all flights. When I got to the airport, I was informed to rebook another flight with another company. I rebooked the flight which cost me three times more than what I had paid. I have been struggling to get my refund and have been sent from pillar to post by SAA. I will never book with SAA again.

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Jill of Ballito, Other
Verified Reviewer

Original review: April 14, 2017

I flew by SAA last week and again this week although I have, in the past, decided not to fly SAA again since way back when. Having given SAA another chance to put things right, this didn't happen. My husband and I flew from Durban, via Johannesburg to Mauritius on 11th March on SA 528 and SA 180, as did two of our friends, Mr and Mrs M **. The flight to Johannesburg and Mauritius was fine, so far so good. We then returned on 23rd March, on SA 193 and were seated about halfway down the aeroplane. The cabin crew served drinks and then served lunch, starting at the front of the aeroplane and working backwards. They served the people sitting on the opposite side of the plane (we were in seats 21E and F) and then the steward took the remainder of the lunches in a pile to the back of the plane, to do with I know not what.

Half an hour later, we were still waiting for our lunch and when I turned around to see where he had gone, they were serving the passengers behind us. He eventually reached our seats, handed me a tray, my husband a tray and the other passenger a tray, without so much as “I am sorry but this is all we have left” OR “I do hope you eat fish” or any such remark. On opening it, we discovered we all had the same fish meal, which neither my husband nor I eat, and the man in the third seat tried his and after one bite, put it aside, saying it was disgusting. I cut a small piece off the cake pudding which I could not eat and waited for the staff to take it away.

There was a baby nearby crying continuously throughout the journey, which was most off putting, but, as a mother and grandmother myself, I do know it is difficult to stop a baby from crying so tried to ignore it and use the headphones, which didn't work, I tried my husband’s which also didn't work and eventually the other passenger’s which didn't work. I rang for the steward to ask him for more which he eventually brought to me, which did work. My question is, why are these headphones not tested before they are carefully put into plastic bags for the passengers’ satisfaction to be able to watch, AND LISTEN to the film which was being shown. By the time I had working headphones, the film was halfway through and I could not get any music on the other channels.

When we reached Johannesburg, and the plane stopped, we were shepherded down the steps in the pouring rain without being given help with baggage. I had carry on baggage which is quite difficult for a woman of 79 to carry and to hold onto the balustrade to get down the steps, being soaked to the skin by a cloudburst. I would have thought SAA would have prime position at the main airport in South Africa, which obviously is not so. The airport is most confusing and should have more people to help passengers when they get off the bus, or preferably the plane which is obviously another story. We eventually found our way to the domestic departures and were called to go through the gates, where we stood waiting for 20 minutes for them to even open the gate.

On going through the door onto the plane, my small suitcase was taken from me and I was given a sticker with no explanation. When this happened to me years ago, the case was kept at the front of the plane and handed to me on disembarking which I thought would happen, as I had not locked the case, not knowing this was going to happen and which we are all aware could be just an invitation to have the case rifled. People were walking on with MUCH larger cases than mine and when I asked the stewardess where mine could be picked up, she told me the carousel as it was now in the hold. I had used the same suitcase from Durban through Johannesburg, Mauritius, Johannesburg and only then was stopped and had it taken away from me.

The only other article that I was carrying was my handbag and she said I was allowed one item, which is absolute nonsense when people come on board with a couple of items and even with their duty free bags as well as their handbags and suitcases. I had vowed I would not fly SAA many many years ago and wish I had stuck to that instead of doing what I did. My friends, who went to Mauritius on the same plane but came back on the Sunday before we did, 19th March, had more or less the same experience, disgusting fish for lunch, no choice, bus from the plane to the airport, disdain from the cabin crew who looked as though they thought they were doing everyone a favour when it is they who are being done the favour by passengers flying on SAA, other than that they would have no jobs.

We were told ad infinitum that our safety is SAAs concern, but also the comfort of passengers whilst in flight and after the flight should be of great concern as people will only return as passengers if they feel the airline has their best interests at heart and I certainly cannot say that in all honesty about SAA. Either the crew is not trained properly or SAA have no interest in their passengers’ comfort, which I am sure is not the case. SAA has lost a great deal of money in the past and I am sure will do so in the future when people (passengers) revolt and use other airlines which is their prerogative if they feel they are not being treated in any way like a valued passenger.

Just one more point my daughter phoned SAA before we left to advise them that we would be travelling to Mauritius for our 60th wedding anniversary and to ask if they could make it a little special for us. Nothing was done and when she found out, she again wrote to SAA asking that the return trip could be made a little special, perhaps by offering a glass of champagne. Of course, nothing was done on the return journey which she was most disappointed about as the person who answered the phone had assured her that everything would be done to make our flight special. Our special flight made sure we were right in the middle of the wide bodied plane in very crowded conditions.

I recently flew SAA and can confirm that that is THE last time I ever will. My family and I flew to Port Elizabeth from London. We flew Virgin to JHB then BA to PE, no issues at all, and a very pleasant trip. Coming back was with SAA to JHB then Virgin onwards to London. When we went to check in at the SAA desk in PE I was told that there was an error with my name and they could not allow me onto the flight. Despite me pointing out that I flew all the way from London with nobody objecting to the minor error (there was 1 letter extra in my surname), they insisted they could not allow me to fly to the UK with an 'incorrect' ticket, and there was absolutely NO consideration that I was traveling with my wife, a 3 year old and our baby of 10 months.

In short I was very abruptly told I would have to buy a new ticket for the entire journey. The check in staff seemed completely incapable of making simple decisions without having to constantly go into a back room for advice. This to me implies the staff are very poorly trained. I eventually insisted on speaking to the 'team leader', after explaining the whole thing to her, she also insisted that I could not go to London with my ticket, even though I'd flown from there with exactly the same ticket. After much pleading I managed to thankfully allow her to fly me through to JHB only, and despite her insistence that Virgin would not allow me onto the flight either, I was more than thrilled to be on the flight.

On arriving in JHB, we collected our luggage and went to check in at the Virgin desk for the flight to London... no problem whatsoever. When I told the check in staff about SAA's reaction to the error on the ticket, they laughed, and rightly said... 'mistakes happen, sometimes all it takes is some common senses'. I later found out that this is an SAA policy, nothing to do with the government or aviation authorities, which I find ridiculously inflexible and leaves you at the mercy of the person behind the desk because of a simple mistake. I would recommend anyone thinking of flying with SAA to seriously reconsider, it's not worth it at all and there are cheaper and better local options.

I flew SAA from Johannesburg to the USA, on the 27 February and back again on the 16 March 2017, both flights were 16 hours and 14 hours respectively. On both flights we were given a meal an hour into the flight and again two hours before we landed. Nothing else in-between!! Not even water was offered!!! I ordered a vegan meal and did not receive it. Apparently no vegan meals were assigned to my seat no. although it was requested. Who is the idiot, that assigns the food orders to the incorrect seats??? When I put the light on for an air-hostess, she casually walked by and put the light off, without even asking I had put the light on. I am annoyed and upset at the lack of service. This not the first time I flew SAA. In the past the service was excellent and now it's almost non-existent. Something is completely amiss, with lack of good customer service, you lose customers... SAA not grasping that concept!

Starving your customers may be one way to save money but in the long run you lose customers. And the air-hostesses are rude; I am not paying to be ignored and endure their bad attitude!! We all have bad days, they should suck it up, smile and be courteous because I am one of the people paying their salaries!! And I did not pay for lack of service and a bad attitude! A complete overhaul of SAA management and staff. Start from scratch. Hire professional people please. Their lack of professionalism shows. Thanks you ruining South Africa's image even further!!

I was flying with South African Airways from JFK on Saturday, December 17 to Johannesburg and then to Mauritius. My flight SA 0204 from JFK was delayed by about 3 hours due to snow storm (most of it we were sitting inside the plane during this time). I was traveling business class and during time we were sitting on the plane waiting for go ahead, stewardess never offered drinks or snacks to people(!?). Then, when we got in air, stewardess passed menu and I ordered what was on it. However, she brought totally different meal without any explanation why it looks different from what described on the menu.

After a few minutes, I called her and confronted that my food is not what I ordered and I was told that meals they got had different fish instead of salmon. So, why no one even bother telling me that ahead of time?! Maybe I would pick something else from the menu. And if I would not say anything, she would never brought up to me that I am served a wrong meal(!?). Then we got to Johannesburg and because of the delays at JFK we never made to our original connection flight to Mauritius. So our luggage was taken out from the flight and stored in the basement instead of giving it to us with the rest luggage people were getting from our flight. We were told to go and claim our luggage and we had to wait for about 6 hours until they located it in the basement and brought up to the claim office. It was very stressful and exhausting!

When I got to Mauritius eventually and open my luggage and had to smell my perfume all over it! And I found a slip from airline that my luggage was searched. The only reason I can think of why my perfume was spilled all over is that during a search someone opened it and didn't close completely. At the end of the day, I am looking for airlines reimburse the cost of the perfume so I can buy a new one and looking for a partial refund since the service I got wasn't the business class service/treatment.

I submitted my complain back in December and since then I kept following up on the status of it till now - no one responding via email or when I try to reach by phone on their local number, I am on hold for hours. I tried to reach USA customer service but they seem have no access to give me an update (dealed with Kareen ** for the last two months but she gives me the same speech every time!). I am extremely disappointed with service!

I flew form South Africa with SAA and checked in a gun after I paid a $50 special handling fee for the gun. The gun did not arrive with me in Dulles Airport (a direct flight). I reported it and received a File Reference numbers with telephone numbers to call. I called every day for 9 days without once being able to speak to someone. I left numerous messages at their offices in Dulles Airport and Fort Lauderdale FL, but no one ever called me back.

On the tenth day I received a call from a sub-contractor that told me he would ship my gun to a town 1.5 hours drive from me, but I have to pick it up there! I told him that SAA needs to call me; I paid the handling fee, they need to drop it off at my home. It has been 3 days now since this call, I made more calls to SAA and left more messages, still no response. It has been 12 days now that my gun has been delayed and I was still not able to speak to one customer service agent of SAA. I start to believe SAA does not have a customer service department!

At Johannesburg airport, getting to get to the gate was unpleasant. It was in an un-airconditioned section of the airport, there was no seating and all round, I found staff rude and unhelpful. When you ask questions they can't be bothered to reply pleasantly! It feels as if clients are just an annoyance. When we got onto the aeroplane, the air conditioning was not on and it was like an oven. One of my party had a seat that was broken and when we informed the staff we were basically just shouted at, saying they already knew it was a problem. The staff were just sitting in the kitchen area chatting and drinking water while we were boarding. No help was offered.

I have flown many other airlines throughout the world and the staff are always in the aisles assisting with bags and seating and have smiles on their faces. Inflight entertainment was very poor and did not work for some time after take off. When they did get it working, the choice of films was poor. Air conditioning was only turned on after we were in the air for quite some time!!! My daughter had fallen and cut herself just before departure and it was bleeding so we asked staff for a plaster. They would not give us one saying that they had had a lot of injuries so there was nothing in the first aid kit. After asking 5 times they eventually gave her cream and a plaster. All the time the staff attitude is one of irritation and inconvenience. There is NO CUSTOMER CARE. We would definitely not fly SAA again. They need proper training in customer care and good service.

Be warned!! I was on tarmac at O.R. Tambo and was instructed that my cabin luggage would not fit in overhead compartment (rucksack 50cmx35cmx20 cm). I was not the only one! They sky check it in and load in undercarriage. An hour later land in Bulawayo you handed your luggage directly from plane on tarmac! Lo and behold your items have disappeared!! Inform them then they tell you read small print they are not liable??? They plane cannot carry normal sized cabin luggage in cabin but now it's your fault!!! Rubbish airline SA Airlink/South African Airways.

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9 people found this review helpful

Max of Lake Worth, FL

Original review: Dec. 15, 2016

Received my online confirmation for a Flight from Cape Town 22 Nov 2016 to New York return Cape Town on 22 Dec 2016. Looked only at departure date which was as booked. At airport on departure I discovered SAA booked me NOT for 22nd Dec but for 23 Dec arriving back in SA 2 days later. SAA booked my return flight New York - Washington (via Jet Blue) for 23rd Dec. Waiting to board SAA... 17 hours later (which account for the 2 day flight arriving Cape Town late at night on Christmas day... ALL PROTESTS WERE MET WITH INDIFFERENCE FROM SAA BOTH IN JHB AND FLORIDA. I have traveled many Airlines as I travel twice each year because I live both in SA and USA... I have sworn on everything Holy that I will never ever fly SAA ever again unless I have no other option. This is not my first bad experience with SAA but it will certainly be the last lest I wish to subject myself to further abuse from SAA.

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9 people found this review helpful

Michelle of Pretoria, Other
Verified Reviewer
Verified Buyer

Original review: Dec. 8, 2016

This is the first time I fly SAA and it is most definitely the last. My work booked a return flight from JHB to Harare. When I left JHB the flight was delayed and now I'm still stilling in the airport and it's 20:30 and we were to board at 18:00. And according to them the delay is another hour! Because the aircraft hasn't arrived yet. I've flown many other airlines and this is certainly the WORST AIRLINE EVER! No wonder they are bankrupt, always in financial distress and the deserve to be liquidated! They really wiped their A** on the customers and have no idea what service is.

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7 people found this review helpful

Olga of Brakpan, Other
Verified Reviewer

Original review: Nov. 16, 2016

"South African Airways strives to inspire our customers with African hospitality in every detail, every time. Commitment to our passengers is key to our brand and we strive to get it right, first time, every time. Contact us should you have any customer care related queries." Above promised commitment a boo ha ha story. And the worst part is the customers can complain because nothing is done about it. IF YOU WANT TO BE TREATED BAD - FLY SAA. Very unfriendly people. South Africa's warmest welcome - what a bull and crap. THIS AIRLINE DESERVES TO BE CLOSED DOWN!

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15 people found this review helpful

Jaco of Gauteng, Other
Verified Reviewer
Verified Buyer

Original review: Oct. 3, 2016

I have been in contact with Peter ** at SAA Express. I have also gotten case numbers from Mumtaz **. Well contact being getting case numbers - I have more than 5 case numbers. NOBODY seem to care to respond after that. Flysaa say SAA Express is responsible. Although you book by logging into FLYSAA website and THEY take your money...

On 8 February 2016 I booked a flight for Jaco ** on a SAA flight from East London to Johannesburg. Booking Ref: **. 30 April 2016 to depart 9.15am from EL to Jhb. Jaco was suppose to get on a Air Mauritius flight in Johannesburg to fly to Mauritius at 13.35pm for his brother's wedding. He arrived at EL airport 2 hours prior to departure time. They were only told after waiting that the flight has been delayed. So it went on. If someone could have said the flight was delayed and would not be taking off for entire day he could have gone to Kulula to book their next flight. By the time they were told that the flight were not to happen the Air Mauritius flight in Jhb has already left... He was eventually flew to Durban then from there to Jhb.

He only the next day got another flight at 13.35pm from JHB to Mauritius. AT A COST OF A EXTRA R 6100. In total he spend more than a day at the airport. Lost his flight to Mauritius. Lost a day in Mauritius FOR WHICH HE ALSO ALREADY PAID THE ACCOMMODATION AND then extra trip from the airport to North of Island (he was suppose to drive there with group and not pay another R 2100 for the trip up). ONLY TO BE TOLD BY SAA that they only need to get him to his destination of booking, whether on time or not.

Is this the type of customer service you obey by? The flight being delayed indefinite caused him to lose OVER R 12 000. DON'T GET ME WRONG I understand things go wrong but surely SAA could have put him on a SAA flight to Mauritius?? And not have a NO CARE attitude... I am not asking for a refund but a goodwill sort of agreement. Can SAA then at least give him credit of a flight to Mauritius that was lost due to SAA. I hope I will get a reply to this mail as it's really sad what has happened. What if he did not have the R6100 he had to pay in at airport to get to Mauritius? I can email all supporting documents as proof.

My husband boarded a JFK New York bound flight from Gaborone, Botswana on Friday, 16 September 2016, and had a delayed luggage. He was supposed to pick a Calgary bound flight and hence after making the requisite complaint he boarded the flight with only the clothes on his back. I made enquiries on his behalf regarding the fate of the luggage and was told that when the said luggage is found, it would be sent to YYC where he would have to come pick it up. This is very unfair as I don't understand why a traveller has to pay for an airline's inefficiency and Ineptitude.

This same thing happened to me and my kids earlier this year on our way back to Gaborone from Washington Dulles. After waiting for four hours at Gaborone Airport despite having been on a 16 hour flight with two toddlers, I was told I would be informed when my luggage gets to the appropriate destination only for them to call me to come pick it up and I had to make a 2 hour trip back to rectify a problem I didn't create in the first place. And to top it, the desk staff were so unfriendly and cold. Now, same thing again happening to my husband in a country he is not a resident of. I do not think this is the way Star Alliance to which SAA proudly admits to being a member treats its clients. I have called the complaints desk severally and was put on hold for hours unending. This is so upsetting and I wish there was a way I could make them pay. Bottom line, don't fly SAA except your life depends on it.

1st Sep 2016. JNB-LHR. SA234. 7.55 pm. Rescheduled @ 6.30 am 2nd Sep. Late notice cancellation. Reason given: Tech Issues. However one ground worker (not SAA employee) at JNB airport told me they often do this if the flight is not full enough to justify the flight. The delay allows a great number of passengers, who knows? Was told no compensation as it was a tech problem. All a bit convenient don't you think? First time with SAA. Guess I better go back to BA. AP. UK.

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3 people found this review helpful

J of N/A, FL
Verified Reviewer
Verified Buyer

Original review: Aug. 25, 2016

Baggage Damage and Theft - No claim followup. SAX flight SA1348 delayed over 5+ hours. Baggage arrived at Port Elizabeth in tatters with items stolen from CHECK-IN bags. Report filed and claim made WEEKS ago. No response from SAA or SAX - in violation of Montreal Convention. Service sucks. Filing an IATA and FAA complaint and follow up in Small Claims. Service SUCKS. Will not fly South African again.

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8 people found this review helpful

Jan of Pretoria, Other
Verified Reviewer

Original review: July 11, 2016

I booked a two tickets from Jhb to Pietermaritzburg and back from Travelstart. On my ticket my initials showed JMJ. On the arrival at the airport, today 11-07 at 11:15 I showed the lady at ticket counter 90 or 91, she was the only ** lady working there at that moment, my ticket and my ID Book. She said to me "This is not you, so I cannot give you the boarding pass because my ID Book shows the full names." I showed her my driving license which shows JMJ. She said "No that is too late now." So I bought a new ticket.

Coming back to the ticket counter that ** lady left her post and I was helped by a different lady. She took my ticket and booked me in on my original/old ticket, with JMJ, to Pietermaritzburg and back. Now I am trying to get refund for second ticket which I was forced to buy and never used. Airlink says "No it is Travelstart." Travelstart says "No it is Airlink problem." In other words: To MY opinion Airlink made a mistake by not accepting initially my driving license. But the customer is sent from "pillar to post". Can Airlink at least try to correct their mistake made by their employee.

After dreaming for 10 days holiday with my 1 year old SAA had nothing better to offer than to get our baggage lost. We had to buy new clothing and l was so stressed out. Could not go to my final destination. We had to rent guesthouse with the hope the baggage will be located sooner but no. Their claim form is a joke. 3 months later no reply and no one cares. After tenth phone call each day l start to get tired even. My baby celebration ended in a guesthouse near the airport. I would like a refund. Such a poor service.

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9 people found this review helpful

Nataliya of Windhoek, Other
Verified Reviewer

Original review: April 21, 2016

My family was travelling from Moscow to Windhoek on the April 5-6th 2016. Moscow-Doha, Doha-Johannesburg were operated by Qatar Airlines. Johannesburg-Windhoek - by South African Airlines. On the arrival to Windhoek all 3 checked-in bags were missing so my parents submitted a claim to SAA. The next day one of the missing bags were delivered. The others remain lost. Qatar Airlines assured me that the luggage was delivered to Johannesburg and then it looks like the bags just vanished. It's been 2.5 weeks already and we are still waiting.

I also received a call from the SAA rep saying that the bags got lost completely. How on earth could it happen? They say it is impossible to steal there as there are cameras everywhere. But the bags couldn't just disappear!!! We even provide them with the photos of the bags to make it easier to look for them... There were a lot of valuable gifts in those bags and personal stuff and it is obvious to me that they just attracted somebody's attention at the airport as we know for a fact that the bags' content gets scanned. I am shocked if not to say more! Terrible customer service. Nobody replies to emails. And they do a huge favor talking to you on the phone. SAA doesn't deserve even a 1 star. I will never ever fly with this ridiculously awful company and will recommend everyone to use something else.

My husband and I flew to ELS from OR Tambo Saturday morning (16/04/2016). We get to ELS and our luggage is missing. We then get told that our luggage was in Joburg. We are livid and beyond disappointed with SAA, the lady (she had nothing to say to us) at baggage claims and Lundi (supposedly manager). Let me tell you both these people were unsympathetic, unprofessional and pathetic. I did not expect to deal with such incompetence from SAA. I feel that we deserve our money back as SAA did not deliver, we had no reasons to be in ELS after what happened. We had no clothes and had no choice but to buy new clothes for the wedding.

I have never been inconvenienced like that in my life, we paid SAA for God sakes. I was in tears, stood there hopeless for 4 hours waiting for Lundi to tell us if we were getting our bags or not. This guy sat in his office the whole time and we had to run after him, in and out of his office and yet he knew where we were sitting. The wedding was at 14h00 and we only arrived there 4 hours later. We deserve more than just a compensation, reimbursed us for the clothes we had to buy. We deserve a good explanation as to why our bag didn't make it to ELS. After reading reviews I have concluded that SAA is not what I thought it was; no wonder they are doing so badly every year and exhausting funds from the government. They desperately need training on customer service.

I have an ongoing problem with SAA, it has been a few years now since I have tried to stop them sending me newsletters. I unsubscribe on every one I receive, I write to the (email@ customer service) regularly and I get a receipt email with a ref no. then a survey request on the performance of my complaint about an hour later, they are pathetic, avoid using them. Their admin is obviously as poor as their flights.

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5 people found this review helpful

Andrea of Bexley, Other
Verified Reviewer

Original review: March 4, 2016

I booked tickets for myself and two little boys on the 30/12/2015 to travel from Sydney to Johannesburg on the 15/09/2016. On the 13/01/2016 (two weeks after tickets were booked) I had to unfortunately cancel my tickets. I did the cancellation online and was prompted that I would incur a $200 cancellation fee and that the refund will take 21 days. 6 weeks later the refund was paid to me less $1350!!! They charged me $450 per ticket to cancel!!! How can that be justified? When I asked them I got told that's the fee on my fare, "get over it, and claim it from your travel insurer." Obviously I didn't get insurance.

$450 is over 40% of a child's fare! $1350 was 38% of the total fare paid. Their terms and conditions are clear as mud. I'm trying to find something on their website of the different charges for different fares, nothing is clear! If I knew they were going to charge me that much I never would have cancelled! Terrible service, terrible company! Don't fly SAA!!!

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